Moray education chiefs reviewing 'sex survey'

Moray Council has decided for the time being not to distribute a national survey asking teenage school pupils about their sexual habits and gender identities.

Senior education officials have opted instead to review the questions included within the survey issued by the Scottish Government.

Amongst the questions intended for pupils aged 14 and over is one asking them to identify their own gender.

The options given are Female, Male, Agender, Androgyne, Bigender, Demigender, Genderfluid, Genderqueer, Pangender, Trans Man/Male, Trans Woman/Female, Two-Spirit, A Gender Not Listed, Non-Binary and Decline to Answer.

Other questions ask pupils how many sexual partners they have had within the past year, and whether they used contraception.

Eight of Scotland's 32 local councils have declined to distribute the survey.

If Moray follows suit it will be the ninth.

Councillor Tim Eagle (Buckie, Conservative), said: "The moment I heard about this questionnaire I raised my deep concerned with senior officers over its content.

"I have to wonder if it is ever appropriate to ask detailed sexual questions to young people.

"More worrying is that parents knew little of what was going on, how this survey would be undertaken, who was in the room at the time and if it was identifiable."

Cllr Eagle, who is the leader of the Conservatives on Moray Council, added: "Many parents contacted me and members of my group to raise concerns.

"I am delighted that following discussion with senior officers they have now taken the position to pause the survey whilst working alongside other authorities reviewing the questions."

Meanwhile, Cllr Claire Feaver (Forres, Conservative) also welcomed the decision, stating the survey contains some "very inappropriate questions".

She added: "There also remains a big question mark over privacy and confidentiality.

"Why can’t our children just be left alone by meddling politicians and allowed to get along with their childhoods?"

Moray Council has been asked for a comment.

Nicola Sturgeon earlier defended the survey at First Minister's Questions.

She said: "All governments have a responsibility – and I think it's a serious responsibility – to ensure that public service delivery is informed by lived experience.

"We have two choices.

"Either we can bury our heads in the sand and pretend that young people are not exposed to the issues or the pressures that we know they are exposed to.

"Or we can seek to properly understand the reality young people face and then provide them with the guidance, the advice and the services they need to make safe, healthy and positive decisions.

"And I choose the latter."